American Women’s Club Gothenburg

Established in 1948

The AWCG believes it is important to keep our American traditions alive for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren, we try to plan many holiday events and try to incorporate holiday themes into some of the playgroups. In October, we have had Halloween activities for the members and their children. In November, we have a Thanksgiving potluck. In December we sing holiday carols all evening long. In the summer, we and our families get together for an Independence Day picnic/barbecue.

If you are new to Sweden, you may be comforted to know that we have experienced the same excitements and frustrations that come with living in a new country. If you have a question we’ve probably asked it, if you have a need we’ve probably had it as well. We are a wealth of information and always willing to share our experiences.   contactus@awcgothenburg.com

  • AWC Gothenburg Board Members 2023
  • President, vacant                                                  president@awcgothenburg.com
  • Vice President, Cassie Fortin                                              vicepresident@awcgothenburg.com
  • Treasurer, Linda Evans Thornqvist                                      treasurer@awcgothenburg.com
  • Membership & Welcome Chair, Sydney Hylland               membership@awcgothenburg.com
  • Newsletter Editor, Maricarmen Takahashi                          newsletter@awcgothenburg.com .   
  • Social Chair, Hollie Rottman                                              socialchair@awcgothenburg.com
  • FAWCO Representative, Kate Engberg                              fawcorep@awcgothenburg.com

Our club is also part of a larger network as a member of The Federation of American Women’s Club Overseas (FAWCO). Through FAWCO we receive a great deal of information pertaining to our situation as American women living abroad.

FAWCO started in 1931 with just 7 clubs. Since the beginning, FAWCO has been a forerunner in issues that matter to women and Americans living abroad. The issue of birth control was discussed at a FAWCO conference as early as 1934. In 1935, the first Federation Scholarship Fund was put in place. Forty years later, Representatives in Congress received tea bags courtesy of FAWCO members who were protesting the taxation of Americans abroad without voting rights. In 1976, just a year after the campaign, the previously stalled Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act was passed and private US citizens were given the right to vote from overseas. In 1995, FAWCO became a UN recognized NGO with consulting status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. In 2007, FAWCO was instrumental in the foundation of the Americans Abroad Caucus in Washington.

Today, FAWCO efforts are organized into the Four Pillars of FAWCO:

  • Member Club Support: As a FAWCO club member, you automatically become a member of FAWCO. That enables you to use the FAWCO website, as a member, take part in FAWCO issues and serve on FAWCO Task Forces and Committees. It also allows you to attend workshops and conferences. Some of the FAWCO website is open to public view, but some pages you will need to log in to see. Creating an account allows you to subscribe to any of the FAWCO Task Force updates and FAWCO Bulletins that you would be interested in receiving each month.
  • US Issues: FAWCO remains highly active in making sure that Americas abroad have a voice and stay educated in matters involving voting, taxation, citizenship, banking, the Americans Abroad Caucus, and education resources.
  • Philanthropy: The FAWCO Foundation is the charitable arm of FAWCO. The Foundation manages development grants, education funds and the Target Program. The Foundation also provides FUN-raising tips and tools to help FAWCO Reps (every club has one), clubs and club members raise money for not only FAWCO charities, but also their own.